Opposition Leaders March to Election Commission Amid Voter Fraud Allegations
In a significant protest, members of the India Bloc attempted to march to the Election Commission to address concerns over the Special Intensive Review of the voter list and allegations of vote theft ahead of the 2024 elections. Key leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, were detained by police during the demonstration. They emphasized the importance of a clean voter list and the need for transparency in the electoral process. The opposition's demand for collective representation to the Election Commission highlights ongoing tensions regarding electoral integrity in India. This protest underscores the critical issues surrounding voter rights and the credibility of the electoral body.
| Aug 11, 2025, 12:52 IST
Opposition's Protest Against Voter List Review
Members of the India Bloc attempted to march from Parliament to the Election Commission's office in Bihar to voice their concerns regarding the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of the voter list and allegations of "vote theft" ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, police intervened and prevented their progress. Prominent figures such as Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sanjay Raut, and Sagarika Ghosh were among those detained while protesting against the SIR and attempting to reach the Election Commission.
Rahul Gandhi stated that the reality is they are unable to speak out. He emphasized that the truth is evident to the nation, asserting that this struggle is not merely political but a fight to protect the Constitution and uphold the principle of one person, one vote. He called for a clean voter list. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the government, labeling it cowardly. Shashi Tharoor, another Congress MP, remarked that the credibility of the Election Commission is at stake as long as doubts about the fairness of elections persist. He suggested that restoring confidence in the Commission hinges on addressing these concerns.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh mentioned that his letter to the Election Commission was straightforward, clearly stating that all opposition MPs intended to conduct a peaceful march from Parliament to the Commission. They aimed to submit a document regarding the SIR. This was their primary demand. He noted that he had sent this letter the previous evening, and referred to the Election Commission as the 'Thief Commission' for not responding. Now, they claim that only 30 MPs can attend, whereas they wanted all opposition members to collectively present their document. They have been stopped from proceeding to the Election Commission.